S.F. public defender detained outside court; office outraged
The video can be seen here.
Record numbers of "accused" criminals exonerated
I was reading an article about a record number of people accused of crimes being exonerated. The article goes on to say prosecutors are more willing to admit mistakes.
Wrong-way San Diego DUI driver crashes on I-5
There are two ways to elevate a San Diego DUI from a misdemeanor to a felony. One is to have too many priors in a 10 year window. The other way is to have the DUI result in "injury".
Escondido accident may be thought of as a Reckless Driving
In Escondido an officer was pulling over a vehicle and another vehicle hit the officer. It appears the driver hit the officer at the front passenger side. Short of finding out the other driver may be a Escondido DUI, this just looks like a traffic accident. However, based on emotional statements by the other driver they may be looking at criminal charges. Reckless driving is the likely offense. The police will question the driver in depth (and maybe even more than that).
Saturation Patrols and DUI Checkpoints
DUI Checkpoints occur all over California. There was a recent checkpoint in neighboring San Bernardino county.
Not all San Diego Criminal Charges are equal
I read the article (below) where an unlicensed driver and it created a perfect illustration in an interesting part of criminal law....which is all cases are created equal.
NBA player taken into custody for suspicion of DUI
When someone gets a San Diego DUI, it is usually not plastered on the
news unless someone has been harmed. However, as soon as a celebrity obtains a San Diego DUI, everyone hears about it. Well, another celebrity has obtained a DUI this
month. Although it is reported that Svetlana, Richard Dreyfuss' wife,
supposedly did well on the field sobriety tests (according to the article), it
is reported that the case is at the District Attorney's office to determine
whether formal charges will be issued.
Cops question checkpoint tactic Florida DUI Video
I have heard of many ways on how to approach a San Diego DUI checkpoint. The article was about a Florida DUI checkpoint The concept is sound. The lawyer does not want the officer to make observation which becomes the basis of a detention and arrest of a person. Leaving the drivers license outside the vehicle and such is a clever idea. However, what if the officer states that the person inside the vehicle did not look like the license and he asked to roll down the window to confirm? What if the officer states there was a wanted person in the area that matched his description and they asked him to roll down the window and confirm?
San Diego police sergeant sues over racist cartoon shown during training session
This honestly suprises me. The San Diego City Attorney, SDPD, and other city entities usually has such a fluid system that issues like this do not occur. I cannot believe this was not found earlier. Someone internally is going to be accountable for this.
San Diego DUI Probation & No Measurable amount of alcohol in the system
A probation violation can affect whether you can get off probation early and eventually obtain an expungement. A common San Diego DUI Probation violation is driving with a measureable amount of alcohol. It is a very low bar and it is a situation to avoid.
Pacific Beach PB Hotel Robbery May Be Tied to "Random Bandit" Crime Spree
Family injured after being hit by suspected Felony San Diego DUI driver
Collisions that occur with San Diego DUI cases can change the circumstances more than any other issue in San Diego DUIs. A collision will raise the aggrevating facts a prosecutor and judge will consider. The prosecution will usually rely on the initial police report.
Two Men Assaulted With Bats in Rancho Peñasquitos
I hope there is video of the incident. The good thing is technology is making it easier for people and businesses to have video. Video shows the incident as it is. It can quash the officers narrative which is slanted to sometimes cover themselves for questionable procedure. It can quash events that never occurred that is made by an accuser.
Cartel Bosses Charged With Drug Trafficking in San Diego
Everything is relative. I have clients who come in accused of a few grams of a controlled substance and I tell them it is a lot. I had one client accused of 13lbs of meth possession and I thought that was something.
Escondido Police dog gets promotion - to detective
Law Enforcement is very protective of its canine unit dogs. The officers know they are an asset. For the canine officers there is a bond between them. The officers are quick to charge anyone who injures the dog. The fact someone may have injured the canine unit is not a good fact usually for the jury. Most agencies have canine units and have very intensive training programs.
San Diego Law Enforcement Think They Can San Diego Police Prevent Future Crimes By Bothering People At Trolley Stops
I have not researched the operation to come to a conclusion about it myself. I will say these officers are making good salaries. Do I want them asking people about possible trolley fare violations so they can find pot on a guy who does not have a medical maijuana card? Do I want a guy to be cited because he has a bootleg copy of Into the Woods in his backpack?
Court Rules that the NYPD has to Explain Their X-Ray Vans
X Ray vans? I believed I saw them in the movie V for Vendetta the other day? Technology is moving so fast. Companies are bringing out products which can assist with police investigations. However, we have to be sure the government is not violating our basic rights.
San Diego Police Department Documents Use of Force Incidents
As a former prosecutor I spent 10 years prosecuting cases. As a Deputy District Attorney, I handled several felony trials and dozens of hearings that dealt with police using force. As a Deputy City Attorney, I handled hundreds of cases that dealt with this issue, including high profile cases like the occupy movement. I have now moved over to defend those accused on crimes.
Supreme Court won't hear dispute over DUI blood tests
It is a shame the Supreme court did not pick the issue up and address it. This would no doubt affect San Diego DUI cases. Why should constitutional rights be lessened with San Diego DUI charges. Anytime something is made "easier" in terms of skirting constitutional rights should be looked on with disdain.
Notify Warrant- The delayed San Diego DUI
Notify Warrants are common with San Diego DUI charges in certain circumstances. It can take a case out of a normal stream of procedures and make an already confusing scenario worse for someone arrested for a San Diego DUI.
San Diego DUI enforcement will be out in force this NFL playoff weekend
Drivers beware. If you are planning on a NFL playoff party, do not drink and drive. There are some good NFL games this weekend and on Monday there is the NCAA national championship. Bars and Pubs across the county will be moving. The new year heats up a slew of San Diego DUIs. Be safe and do not drink and drive.
AB 60 and how it changes San Diego Suspended License cases.
I have seen several people come into the court and my office with a San Diego suspended license case. They were speeding on I-15. They have lived in the US for many years. I ask them "can you get valid"? They pause with their response and I always knew it was not possible. The best way to get a reduction in a San Diego Suspended license case is to:
Accomplice in Violent Crime Spree in San Diego Takes Plea Deal
Today we hear from Law Office of Mark Deniz, APLC intern Ruby Fa'Agau. She is a 2L at Thomas Jefferson School of Law.
Author: You don't have to roll down your window at a DUI checkpoint
If someone drives through a San Diego DUI checkpoint with this they are no doubt inviting the police to head over to their car. The officers would probably come up with some arguments like:
Oklahoma bill would bar those with DUI conviction from buying alcohol
I am taking a break from writing about San Diego DUIs to discuss legislation aimed to deter DUI. Humans make mistakes. As long as people have to make a decision to drink and drive or not there will be DUIs because people will be dumb/unwise and make the mistake of electing to drive.
Is Red-light flash fright necessary in Oceanside?
I am taking a second to step away from my normal topic of San Diego County DUIs to jump in the world of traffic violations.
I have to say I actually like those speed signs that flash if come speeding by them. There is one that is fixed about a mile away from my house. I see it flashing and I realize that I have no need to be in a hurry. I am driving through primarily a residential area. Even though my mph guage is right in front of me in my car it does help me slow down.
What should you do if arrested at a San Diego DUI Checkpoint?
You went near or into a San Diego checkpoint and got arrested. It happens too often. You turn a corner and the traffic gets funnelled right into the checkpoint. It is by design. There is very few options to avoid it and usually there is an officer waiting for people to make that quick turn away from the checkpoint.
CHP Arrests 34 Drivers of San Diego DUI During New Year's Celebrations
The year starts off with a lot of San Diego DUI arrests. These numbers is just from the CHP and does not include SDPD, Sheriff, and other agecies. Football playoffs are beginning and the San Diego DUI season will be keeping on. Law enforcement will be out in force. Be safe and smart. If you get in a pickle call our office ASAP. The key is to be proactive.
San Diego DUI arrests up from last New Year's Eve
If you are arrested of a San Diego DUI it is imperative to contact an attorney within 10 days of the arrest. The attorney must contact the SMV to stay the suspension of the persons's drivers license and request the initial police reports. This is the first step in being proactive, which is key in a San Diego DUI case.
SoCal Teacher Touts DUI Checkpoint Finder App
In the end there will be no stopping San Diego DUIs. Humans make bad decisions and this includes drinking and driving. This includes police believing someone is San Diego DUI when they are not.
Immigrants will have an easier time in obtaining a drivers license
Happy 2015. I have seen several people come into the court and my office with a San Diego suspended license case. They were speeding on I-15. They have lived in the US for many years. I ask them "can you get valid"? They pause with their response and I always knew it was not possible. The best way to get a reduction in a San Diego Suspended license case is to:
